Study of the decision-making process of Oklahoma state legislators and K-12 educational funding

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of this study was to examine Oklahoma state legislators and their decision-making process and the factors that influence their decisions in regards to K-12 educational funding. The conceptual framework of Braddock (1980) and McPartland and Braddock's (1989) theory of perpetuation was used to examine the social networks of the state legislators. In addition, Granovetter's (1973) theory of formal/informal ties was also used to help explain the development of network opportunities of the legislators. Participants in this study were seven state senators and state representatives who were selected through purposive sampling according to the following criteria: gender, party affiliation, geographic location, house affiliation, and educational connection. A semi-structured interview protocol was used for interviewing purposes.

Findings and Conclusions: Results indicated that state legislators and their decision making process in regards to K-12 educational funding are heavily influenced by their weak-tie relationships with lobbyists. The social network between the legislators and educational lobbyists, however, was found to have very little influence and at times an adverse impact upon the decision-making process and educational funding. In addition the weak-tie relationship between state legislators and fellow legislators, local educators, and community members tended to impact the decision-making process more than the strong-tie relationships with family members and close associates. Finally, both male and female legislators were found to have very similar social networks. There also was no evidence that gender affected or determined the sources of influence in making decisions at the legislative level.